Sociologist Beşikçi and Layer Şimşek are accused of “spreading propaganda for the PKK”. In the second hearing of the case, the prosecutor saw an element of crime in the use of the letter “q”, which is not part of the Turkish but of the Kurdish alphabet.

The new media was considered as especially problematic at the meeting on “Hate Speech and Hate Crime” in Ankara on 6 November. It was mentioned that raising awareness in the local media and education system is an important part of the struggle against hate crime.

During the process leading up to the Sept. 12 referendum on government-sponsored reforms, many were hoping that the perpetrators of the Sept. 12, 1980, military coup would be brought before the judiciary thanks to the elimination of an article in the Constitution that prevented any legal action being taken against the coup generals.